Spatial correlation of aerodynamic forces on 5:1 rectangular cylinder in different VIV stages

To better understand the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) characteristics of a 5:1 rectangular cylinder, the distribution of aerodynamic force and the non-dimensional power spectral density (PSD) of fluctuating pressure on the side surface were studied in different VIV development stages, and their differences in the stationary state and vibration stages were analyzed. The spanwise and streamwise correlations of surface pressures were studied, and the flow field structure partitions on the side surface were defined based on the streamwise correlation analysis. The results show that the variation tendencies of mean and root mean square (RMS) pressure coefficients are similar in different VIV development stages. The RMS values during amplitude growth are larger than those at peak amplitude, and the smallest RMS values are observed in the stationary state. The spanwise correlation coefficients of aerodynamic lifts increase with increase of the peak amplitude. However, for the lock-in region, the maximum spanwise correlation coefficient for aerodynamic lifts occurs in the VIV rising stage rather than in the peak amplitude stage, probably due to the interaction of vortex shedding force (VSF) and self-excited force (SEF). The streamwise correlation results show that the demarcation point positions between the recirculation region and the main vortex region remain almost constant in different VIV development stages, and the reattachment points gradually move to the tailing edge with increasing amplitude. This study provides a reference to estimate the demarcation point and reattachment point positions through streamwise correlation and phase angle analysis from wind tunnel tests.